Hydroponic smart system and associated methods

Abstract

Disclosed is a system and method for a smart hydroponic system. The system includes a central controller and one or more smart hydroponic system modules. The smart hydroponic system modules automate a number of tasks required to maintain hydroponic agriculture. Further, these tasks are localized to provide greater precision to the agriculture, as even indoor environments can vary. The central controller sends commands which affect every smart hydroponic system module. This provides an efficient mix of central and local control.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A system for hybrid centralized and local control of a hydroponic system, comprising:
 a central controller which sends commands using a power line control protocol;   a computing unit electrically connected to the central controller, the computing unit including a processor and a memory, the memory including instructions executing on the processor to receive measurements, check the measurements against user input parameters, and send commands if the measurements are outside of the input parameters;   a light fixture electrically connected to the computing unit;   a temperature sensor electrically connected to the computing unit;   a tank containing a volume of a liquid;   a tank valve in electrical communication with the computing unit, the tank valve including an outlet in fluid communication with the tank, a first tank valve inlet in fluid communication with a liquid source and the outlet, and a second tank valve inlet in fluid communication with the outlet;   an additive valve in electrical communication with the computing unit, the additive valve including an outlet in fluid communication with the second tank valve inlet, a first additive valve inlet in fluid communication with a pH tank, and a second additive valve inlet in fluid communication with a fertilizer tank; and   a sensor package at least partially submerged in the volume of liquid in the tank, the sensor package including at least a first sensor measuring a pH of the liquid in the tank, a second sensor measuring an electrical conductivity of the liquid in the tank, and a third sensor measuring a liquid level in the tank;   wherein, the central controller sends commands to control at least the light fixture, and, based on measurements from the temperature sensor, the sensor package, or both, and wherein the computing unit sends commands to operate the tank valve, the additive valve, and the light fixture.   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the liquid in the tank is water. 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the commands sent by the central controller are based on user input parameters. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the sensor package further includes a second temperature sensor. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 4 , wherein the instructions stored on the memory and executing on the processor checks both the measurement of the temperature sensor and the second temperature sensor against user input parameters before sending commands. 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 5 , wherein both the measurements must be outside the user input parameters before sending commands. 
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the tank valve and the additive valve are electrically actuatable between fluid communication between the first inlet and the outlet, fluid communication between the second inlet and the outlet, and an off position with no fluid communication. 
     
     
         8 . A method for operating a smart hydroponic system, comprising:
 providing a central controller connected to a power line;   connecting a computing unit to the power line;   connecting an air temperature sensor, and at least one sensor submerged in a volume of liquid to the computing unit;   placing at least one electrically actuated valve in electrical communication with the computing unit;   placing a light fixture in electrical communication with the central controller and the computing unit;   sending commands from the central controller using a power line communication protocol, the commands affecting at least operation of the light fixture; and   sending commands, based on measurements from the air temperature sensor, or the at least one sensor, from the computing unit to control operation of the of the at least one electrically actuated valve and the light fixture, either separately, or contemporaneously.   
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein there are two electrically actuated valves in electrical communication with the computing unit. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein when sending the commands, the computing unit checks the measurements against user input parameters, and only sends commands if the measurements are outside the user input parameters. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the central controller sends commands using a power line control protocol. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the liquid is water. 
     
     
         13 . A system for optimizing hydroponic growth through a combination of central and local control, comprising:
 a central controller which generates commands using user input parameters; and   one or more smart hydroponic system modules electrically connected to the central controller, the one or more smart hydroponic system modules including:
 a computing unit including a processor and a memory, the memory including a set of instructions which direct the computing unit to receive measurements, and, based on the measurements, process commands for execution on the processor; 
 a temperature sensor electrically connected to the computing unit, the temperature sensor taking a first portion of the measurements and sending the first portion of the measurements to the computing unit; 
 a sensor package electrically connected to the computing unit, the sensor package taking a second portion of the measurements and sending the second portion of the measurements to the computing unit; 
 at least one valve electrically actuatable between establishing fluid communication between a first inlet and an outlet, a second inlet and the outlet, and an off position, the electric actuation being controlled by commands send by the computing unit; and 
 a light fixture electrically connected to the computing unit and the central controller, the light fixture adapted to turn on, turn off, or dim, based on both commands sent from the central controller, and commands sent from the computing unit, the commands from the computing unit being based on either the first portion of the measurements or the second portion of the measurements. 
   
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 13 , wherein the central controller sends commands using a power line control protocol. 
     
     
         15 . The system of  claim 13 , wherein the computing unit checks the measurements against user input parameters, and, if the measurements are outside the input parameters, processes the commands. 
     
     
         16 . The system of  claim 13 , further comprising a first valve and a second valve. 
     
     
         17 . The system of  claim 16 , wherein an outlet of the first valve is connected to a first inlet of the second valve, and the second inlet of the second valve is connected to a liquid source. 
     
     
         18 . The system of  claim 17 , wherein a first inlet of the first valve is connected to a pH tank, and a second inlet of the first valve is connected to a fertilizer tank. 
     
     
         19 . The system of  claim 13 , wherein the sensor package includes a pH sensor, an electrical conductivity sensor, and a water level sensor. 
     
     
         20 . The system of  claim 13 , wherein the sensor package is located at least partially submerged in a liquid in a tank.